CEO’S CHRONICLES – LISTENING TO BUILD, ACTING TO UNITE

I’m coming out of a deeply inspiring week with a heart full of gratitude.

I’ve had the privilege of sitting down and listening—really listening—to the perspectives of several groups that speak for citizens. You are the people who make our neighbourhoods what they are, and your deep convictions inspire you to take action. I’d like to thank each and every one of you for the time you so generously gave to share your vision, your knowledge, and, above all, your sincere concerns for harmonious cohabitation with our Port. Your words struck a chord with me, and I want you to know that I heard them.

During these meetings, I was struck not only by the clarity of the (legitimate and essential) concerns expressed, but also the extent of the concrete avenues you so thoroughly developed and respectfully shared. This dialogue has strengthened my conviction that we can build a better future together.

Three concerns in particular came to the forefront, and they have now become my own.

Like you, I am deeply attached to the St. Lawrence River. It’s a jewel that unites us, and a source of pride and prosperity. I pledge that we will explore every opportunity to make our recreation and tourism areas accessible to as many people as possible, while maintaining the important balance between their development and the protection of the common good that is the river. Every action will be driven by the desire to enhance it and allow more people to enjoy it. My ambitions include improving access to Baie de Beauport and helping to complete phase 4 of the Promenade Samuel-De Champlain. I am committed to actively working together to bring these essential projects to fruition, which will promote access to our natural, recreational, and urban spaces for all communities.

You have shared your concerns about safety, from the transportation and storage of certain goods to the protocols in place to prevent incidents. These are serious issues that deserve our full attention. They call for care and vigilance, but also constant transparency in the way we do things. It’s also vital to raise awareness of the strict safety measures that are already in place to make sure that our protocols are fully understood. For me, a vibrant and accessible Port must first and foremost be a safe Port—both for those who work there every day and for our neighbouring communities. Your peace of mind is not a luxury: it’s a priority that I take to heart.

I fully understand the challenges trucking poses in certain neighbourhoods, but I also know that its role is essential. The Port of Québec is a pillar of our logistics chains. Most of the tonnage that passes through here is transshipped from ship to ship. Trains are used for overland shipping over longer distances, while trucks are used to serve the greater Québec City area and neighbouring regions, such as Beauce, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. Our collective challenge is to mitigate its impact without denying its necessity. Together, we must find solutions to ensure that trucking can continue with the utmost respect for our communities’ safety and quality of life. I appeal to my port, institutional, and logistics partners, but also to the different levels of government: let’s be proactive, let’s be vigilant. Let’s make sure that trucks use the right lanes and that drivers behave in an exemplary manner. Concrete actions are already underway; we are conducting awareness campaigns directly with truckers, and we are actively working with the city and other stakeholders to develop targeted traffic calming measures. This is a collective effort, and we’ll all come out winners, with a healthier and more peaceful environment.

Of course, I can’t ignore the issue of air quality. The Port and our partners are continuing the work we have been doing over the past few years, and we are now focusing our efforts on the recommendations made in the most recent public reports on the matter. Above all, I’m going to want to show genuine leadership to share citizens’ concrete concerns with my port partners. The Port will continue to fully serve as a responsible industrial player to help improve the situation, acting with consistency, transparency, and determination.

Last but not least, I’d like to applaud the remarkable visit by the Coalition régionale sur la justice climatique et sociale, who came to our offices to hand me my first-ever ticket. It’s a moment I won’t soon forget! Your striking reminder of the crucial importance of greater social and environmental justice now has a special place in my office, and I welcome your action with respect. I’m also impressed by our youth’s mobilization to fight for principles that are essential to our future. Rest assured that these values are not just words; they are the driving force behind my actions and remain at the heart of my priorities.

All in all, I wanted to end this week by sharing my deep gratitude for the depth of our conversations. Your passion for our community is an inspiration. By working together, listening to each other, and remaining open to each other’s perspectives, we will build a future where the Port and our neighbourhoods can prosper together.

In the meantime, I’ll be happy to go watch the arrival of the snow geese, as promised to a member of the Littoral Est citizen round table. After all, the river is there to remind us of the changing seasons, including the arrival of spring!

Olga Farman